Ayiesha Woods Interview

by Tracy Darlington

"The
biggest obstacle in my life that God has helped me to overcome has
been the fear of failure."--Ayiesha
Woods

Gotee artist Ayiesha Woods sat down with TitleTrakk and discussed her new
album Love Like This, her biggest obstacle in life, her favorite Bible
verse, the most memorable concert she’s ever played, and much
more.

Tracy: How did you know God was calling you to pursue a career in music?

Ayiesha:
I knew that God was calling me to pursue a career in music when I would
sing
my
songs at various church events and was asked where could my music
be purchased.

What
do you know now that you wish you’d known when
you first started?

I wish I knew that gas prices were going to increase the way they have.
I would have purchased a compact car. LOL

Tell us a little about your new album Love
Like This?

My new album "Love Like This" is a pop oriented
Ayiesha Woods project that simply explores the many aspects of God's love.
The love that
we have one for another and topics surrounding that as, as well as the love
we have for the Father and topics surrounding that relationship.

How does this project differ from your last?

This project differs from my last in the sense that it is a bit more thematic
and consistent in content. Quite topical and it's evident in each song what
it is that I'm wanting to convey to the listening audiences.

What message do you people will come away with when they listen to Love
Like This?

After having listened to Love
Like This, I hope that people will be challenged
to explore the love of God in a deeper dimension and that they'll realize
that whomever you are and from what ever you've come, we are mere flesh and
every last one of us are in need of the great love of the Saviour, Jesus
Christ.

What’s
special to you about this CD?

This CD is special to me in the respect that I've learned a little more
over the last two years or
so; particularly about love. I've learned much about myself and much about
how it is that God deals with us concerning these things. It's just as special
nonetheless, as "Introducing Ayiesha Woods" and even "What
You Do To Me." (My independent project) They all have been special and
specific to the seasons of my life.

What’s
your favorite song on the album and why?

I cannot say that I have a favorite song on this new project. I love each
song and they all minister to me in some way or the other. My favorite change
as the days and weeks go by! I may get stuck on a song for two weeks and
it'll be my favorite until I change to another.

What’s
the biggest challenge you had to face while recording Love Like This?

The biggest challenge that I had to face while recording “Love Like
This" would have to in fact be the writing process of the songs; as
I was used to writing all of my own material and simply having a producer
interpret what I felt God was wanting to convey. But on this project, I wrote
with extremely gifted people that certainly helped me to become more comfortable
with collaborative efforts. We've come up with some great material that required
a different type of teamwork that was a new experience for me. A bit of a
challenge, indeed but very rewarding!

Your
song “Happy” was used in an ad campaign for the movie “A
Good Year”. How did that come about?

The song "Happy" in
an ad campaign . . . You know, I never did hear it! I had people calling
from all over the country saying
that they
heard it! And I never did. I never see these things or hear them! But I'm
happy to know that God has made it possible for my songs to have placement
in such arenas. How it happened . . . GREAT RECORD LABEL PEOPLE WHO ARE
ON YOUR TEAM AND PULLING FOR YOU! That's how! :-)

What’s the biggest obstacle in your life God’s
helped you overcome?

The biggest obstacle in my life that God has helped me to overcome has been
the fear of failure. When God truly set me free from that fear, I pursued
the call full fledge and He has been meeting me at the point of my need ever
since then. Showing Himself MIGHTY in every situation in my life.

Are there any steps you take to stay on track spiritually?

For me, an absolute necessity in order for me to stay on track spiritually
is the absorption of the word of God. I recognize when I haven't spent enough
time in God's word and personal time in prayer and devotion because it is
reflected in every other thing that I do. His word brings substance to my
life and I need it to succeed at ANYTHING at all. Even breathing.

What’s the coolest prayer God’s
ever answered for you?

LOL. It came one day in my early 20's when I was seeking
Him about some things and I sat on my bed and asked God "Lord, what do you require
of me?" and I opened my Bible to a page in Micah 6 that explicitly states: "....
This is what the Lord requires of you; to walk humbly, love justice and love
mercy." I was amazed because just as soon as I asked and opened my word,
there it was right in my face, summing it all up for me. That was COOOOOOL!

Do you have any advice for someone trying to reach their friends for Christ?

For anyone trying to reach their friends for Christ, I would simply advise
you to LIVE THE LIFE. You friends may not ever go to church; they may not
ever have looked in a Bible. You may be the only Jesus they are graced to
experience. So give them Jesus and He'll draw them unto Himself by the light
you shine and the life you live.

If you could say one thing to this generation what would you say?

Jesus is REAL, He LOVES YOU and He's Coming soon. That was three. Sorry.

If Jesus were coming back tomorrow, how would you spend today?

If Jesus were coming back tomorrow, I'd spend my day spreading the word
to everyone I possibly could.

If Jesus were NOT coming back in your lifetime, would you do anything differently?

I don't know that I'd do anything differently if I knew that Jesus were
NOT coming back in my lifetime.

What is your favorite Bible verse and why?

Matthew 6:25-34 is one of my favorite passages of scripture because it reminds
me of God's great sovereignty and my frailty. However, it assures me His
plan for my life and keeps things in the proper perspective for me.

What’s
the most memorable place you have ever played?

One of the most memorable places I've played was just outside of Oslo, Norway
in a little church off the highway near the beautiful countryside. The people
were so receptive and open and I felt as though we were truly connecting
with them and were able to convey the love of Jesus to where they would be
open to receive Him.

What are two things people might be surprised to know about you?

That I'm a home body … Oh, and that I'm single.

When
you’re not singing, what do you enjoy doing?

Cooking and entertaining my family and friends.

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

LOL… For the first time EVER.. A HOT DOG!!!

Three things always found in your refrigerator:

Juice, Cheese, Old Oranges. hahaha

You’re
next in line at Starbucks. What are you ordering?

Tall, Steamed Milk, 2 Raw Sugars. :-)

What’s
currently in your CD player/iPod?

Shoot, everything is in there! I need more space! Or a new
IPOD! Jazz, pop, gospel, reggae, world, Christian, r&b, Dusty Springfield...
ya know, good stuff.

Tracy
Darlington is
a freelance writer, and her work has appeared in Brio, Breakaway,
YS, CCM Magazine, Insight, Susie Magazine,
and other publications. She has interviewed countless Christian musicians including
Rebecca St. James, Delirious, Newsboys,
Leigh Nash, Barlowgirl, Krystal Meyers, Joy Williams, Pillar, Michelle Tumes,
and many others. In her spare time she can be found riding horses or listening
to
music
and
sipping
a Venti 3-shot sugar-free vanilla latte. Visit her online at her
blog where she talks about Music, God, dogs and coffee. You can also look
her
up
at
Twitter and Facebook.